Olivia Gardner '23 Recruiting Profile

My name is Olivia Gardner. I am entering my senior year at New Smyrna Beach high school, in New Smyrna Beach, Florida. I have been an athlete most of my life, playing competitive travel soccer since I was six years old. I started running the summer prior to my freshmen year of high school and have run cross-country and track since. While running has proven to be the most physically enduring and mentally challenging sport, each season I have surprised myself with personal accomplishments, either setting season bests or personal records, which has resulted in a serious love for running. Running is not only a hobby or sport to me, but it has become a lifestyle. I love the discipline, adrenaline and motivation running gives me. Running has not only taught me healthy habits, but it has forced me to push myself beyond my own personal physical and emotional limits. In the past three years, I have received various awards and accolades, including Athlete of the Year, MVP, and Female Scholar Athlete of the Year. This past cross-country season, I was nominated for All-Area Team and Athlete of the Year for all of Volusia, Flagler, and St. John’s counties. Since freshmen year, I have qualified to run at the state championship series three times, as well I have taken a leadership role on the team, as female captain for two seasons. Running makes me feel accomplished and has helped me develop characteristics in many aspects of my life, that without running I do not think I would have experienced. I am eager to continue my running career, with dreams of competing on a college or university track team.